Man Admits Stealing Prior to ‘Suspicious Package’ Discovery

The 47-year-old was in a hospital gown for his arraignment on a theft charge. The judge said Harding is staying at Pine Rest in Kent County.

At a probable cause hearing on Wednesday, a state trooper explained the allegations to the judge. An alleged confrontation took place before a suspicious package was found at Dorr Elementary School. Michigan State Police say Harding approached a real estate agent taking pictures of a property near the school.

During the hearing, an unidentified trooper testified, “While [the real estate agent] was there taking photographs of that property, [Harding] came across the street and confronted [the real estate agent].”

The trooper said Harding asked the agent why he was taking pictures. That’s when the agent showed Harding his identification card, showing he was a real estate agent.
Police said Harding went to grab it.

Harding didn’t get ahold of the camera, but police say Harding yanked the real estate agent’s ID from his neck and took off. Police tracked down Harding and found the ID in the trunk of his car that was parked at the library.

[Harding] was also seen near the school where a suspicious package was found.
Right now, he’s only facing a larceny charge for taking the badge.

Harding replied to the judge about the allegation.

“This is true,” Harding began to elaborate.
The judge replied, “I’m not asking you whether it’s true or not. I’m asking you whether you understand what you’re charged with.”

Harding said, “I understand what I’m charged with. Not guilty.”

It’s still unclear whether he’ll face charges for the ‘suspicious package’ at the school.
FOX 17 did a criminal background check. Harding has a clean record. He’s being held on $50,000 bond, and his prelim is scheduled for early June.